Pakistan government bans official advertisements to the Dawn Media Group

Two of Pakistan’s main media associations strongly condemned the government for imposing a ban on official advertisements to the Dawn Media Group including newspaper and television channel

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) termed the use of government advertising as a tactic to force the media to act as per their dictation which is tantamount to an adverse curb on the freedom of press.

The APNS added that this policy pursued earlier by dictatorial regimes is contrary to Article 19 enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan which guarantees the freedom of the press.

The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) also condemned the use of government advertisement as an instrument to influence media. PBA called the government’s move against the norms of democracy and against the freedom provided to the press in the Constitution.

The APNS and PBA urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan to direct the Ministry of Information to immediately lift the current ban on government advertising to the Dawn Media Group.